Ottoman revenge: 5,700 severed noses of enemy army sent after Hungarian atrocities

Following the death of Sultan Mehmed II in 1481, Sultan Bayezid II ascended to the throne. While his early reign was marked by a power struggle with his brother Cem Sultan, which limited large-scale military campaigns, his later years saw fierce battles and the conquest of numerous strategic territories.

One such battle involved the Hungarian commander Count Kinizsi Pal of Temesvar, who infamously had Ottoman prisoners skinned alive. In retaliation, during a subsequent campaign, Yakup Pasha decimated the enemy army and sent 5,700 severed noses of Hungarian prisoners to Istanbul as a grim trophy of victory.

Count Kinizsi Pal: Hungarian hero and his victories

Rising from a miller’s son to the Count of Temesvar, Kinizsi Pal is celebrated as one of Hungary’s greatest military leaders. Thirteen years before his victory against the Ottomans under Sultan Bayezid II, he had already defeated an Ottoman army.

In 1479, during Sultan Mehmed II’s reign, Ottoman forces led by Mihaloglu Ali Bey, Mihaloglu Iskender Evrenosoglu Isa Bey, and Malkocoglu Bali Bey crossed the Danube River near Semendire and advanced toward Weissenburg through the Iron Gate Pass. Informed of enemy movements by scouts, the Voivode of Transylvania, Stefan Bathory, and Count Kinizsi Pal quickly assembled an army of Hungarians, Wallachians, and Saxons, encircling the Ottomans.

The fierce Battle of Szaszbaros ensued on Oct. 13. The battle swayed back and forth, with the Saxon and Wallachian infantry suffering heavy losses. Voivode Stefan Bathory led a charge with the Hungarian heavy cavalry, sustaining a fatal wound. Just as defeat seemed imminent, Count Kinizsi Pal launched a surprise attack from the rear, turning the tide of the battle and securing a Hungarian victory. Many Ottoman soldiers perished, and although the Hungarians triumphed, they mourned the loss of many soldiers and Stefan Bathory. Count Kinizsi Pal reportedly danced and sang among the fallen enemy soldiers that evening.

Border skirmishes with the Hungarians continued during Sultan Bayezid II’s early reign. The Sanjakbeys of Bosnia and Semendire raided Hungarian and Dubrovnik territories. In response to the capture of border fortresses, Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus dispatched Count Kinizsi Pal with 32,000 troops to Semendire on Nov. 2, 1481. The Ottomans ambushed and killed the vanguard of 100 Hungarian cavalrymen led by Nikola Sokeli. Undeterred, Count Pal crossed the Danube, defeated the Ottoman forces near the Golubac Fortress, and plundered the surrounding area for 12 days before returning to Hungary.

Sultan Bayezid II’s accession and European developments

Following Sultan Mehmed II’s death, a power struggle ensued between his sons, Cem Sultan and Sultan Bayezid II. Grand Vizier Karamanli Mehmet Pasha supported Cem Sultan, while most other statesmen favored Sultan Bayezid II. Karamanli Mehmet Pasha sent messengers to both princes, but soldiers, upon learning of the sultan’s death, killed the grand vizier and the palace physician. With Cem Sultan’s main supporter gone, Sultan Bayezid II’s path to the throne was clear.

Sultan Bayezid II’s son Korkut was temporarily enthroned until Sultan Bayezid II’s arrival in Istanbul. Cem Sultan’s messenger was intercepted and killed, delaying his arrival. Sultan Bayezid II reached Istanbul nine days after receiving news of his father’s death and ascended the throne. Cem Sultan refused to recognize his brother’s rule, leading to a prolonged power struggle. Sultan Bayezid II was unable to focus on foreign policy until Cem Sultan’s death, emboldening Europeans who even considered retaking Istanbul.

To counter this perception, Sultan Bayezid II personally led several campaigns and appointed akinci beys to various regions. The death of Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus in 1490 had significant implications for both Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Sultan Bayezid II did not renew the truce between the two states, which had expired in 1491.

Yakup pasha’s revenge campaign

Ottoman statesmen saw an opportunity to strike at the heart of Hungary amid the ongoing succession crisis. They believed that Belgrade, along with neighboring fortresses, could be easily captured, especially since the commander of Uliak was willing to surrender them for suitable compensation. While the Sanjakbey of Semendire initiated negotiations, Sultan Sultan Bayezid II rapidly prepared for a land and sea campaign.

A 100,000-strong army gathered in Edirne, supported by a large fleet off the Albanian coast. The Ottoman navy would transport artillery through the Black Sea and up the Danube. In the spring of 1492, Sultan Bayezid II personally led the campaign, reaching Sofia. However, upon learning that the fortress commander had reneged on his promise and that a 60,000-strong Hungarian army was approaching, he changed course and went to Albania, where rebellions had broken out. He left Hadim Suleyman Pasha in charge of the siege of Belgrade.

Hadim Suleyman Pasha besieged Belgrade and sent a detachment towards Transylvania. However, this force was defeated by Count Kinizsi Pal of Temesvar, known for his cruelty. Around 10,000 Ottoman soldiers were killed and 7,000 were captured. Count Kinizsi Pal sewed the mouths of his prisoners, put them in sacks, and drowned them. He also had many prisoners skinned alive, roasted, or fed to pigs.

To avenge this defeat, Sultan Bayezid II sent Mihaloglu Ali Bey to raid Hungary again in 1493 with 20,000 men, but the desired results were not achieved. Sultan Bayezid II then dispatched Yakup Pasha, the Beylerbey of Bosnia, to raid Hungary and Istria with 8,000 men. Yakup Pasha raided Istria, plundered Yayce, and then moved towards Slovenia and the region under Drencil. He then marched on Slovin and Kulpa.

On his return, Yakup Pasha was ambushed in the Sadbar Pass. The pass was blocked with rocks and trees by Drencil’s Hungarian army, largely composed of Croatian nobles. Fearing heavy losses, Yakup Pasha seized an opportunity while Drencil hesitated to attack, clearing a path through the forest and escaping the ambush.

However, due to the enemy’s superior numbers and the Ottomans’ unfamiliarity with the terrain, the Ottoman army’s morale plummeted. Just then, three birds flying over the Ottoman army attacked and defeated seven birds from the enemy side, restoring the soldiers’ confidence. This was interpreted as a divine sign.

Yakup Pasha delivered a rousing speech and then led 3,000 cavalrymen in a charge against the enemy on Sept. 9, 1493. The enemy attacked seven times, but Yakup Pasha repelled each attack, killing approximately 10,000 enemy soldiers.

After the battle, Drencil, the enemy commander, was brought before Yakup Pasha. Initially, Pasha wanted to execute Drencil but then changed his mind. The next day, they toured the battlefield together.

Following his victory, Yakup Pasha sent Drencil and the captured prisoners to Istanbul. It is said that Yakup Pasha also sent 5,700 severed noses of Hungarian prisoners to Istanbul as a trophy, mirroring Count Kinizsi Pal’s atrocities. After three days of plunder, the army returned to Bosnia, and Drencil was sent to Istanbul. Bayezid II imprisoned Drencil in Afyon and appointed Yakup Pasha as the Beylerbey of Rumelia.